Algeria lodge official protest over 3-0 loss to holders Argentina

Referee Szymon Marciniak in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group J soccer match between Argentina and Algeria at Kansas City Stadium. Tom Weller/dpaThe Algerian football association has lodged a protest with FIFA over the refereeing of Szymon Marciniak in their 3-0 World Cup defeat to Argentina, a spokesman said on Friday.A harsh challenge by later hat-trick scorer Lionel Messi went unpunished when the score was 1-0 in Tuesday's group match and some refereeing experts said it could have been a red card.

The North Africans were also upset that an elbow by Alexis Mac Allister, as well as another incident, were not sanctioned. There was initially no reaction from FIFA.Protests against refereeing decisions in football generally have little chance of success because subjective decisions by the official are in principle not changed retrospectively.

Algeria next face Jordan on Monday.